The Masterpiece

A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want--money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman's past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn't know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist--an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison. Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it's as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship--and both their lives--forever.

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By chapter 23, I was so bored. I found the book predictable, so I skipped to the end. The book ended as I imagined. From other reviews, it sounded to get better after chapter 23, where all the prayerful details were. If only life would get these great outcomes more often. Very good people suffer and die often, without the blessings they pray for. Gods way of thinking must not be mans way of thinking.

There is no such thing as coincidence or "fate." Those are convenient excuses for the truth. I'm a big believer that there is a larger purpose for every encounter and acquaintance in life even if we may never get to see the full reason here on earth. This book spoke to that belief, as well as many other truths. I loved reading this detailed journey of two broken people who find love together, but first have to learn to trust in God's healing, timing, and providence.

A beautiful story of the power the gospel has to restore the lives of people who suffer traumatic family events so early in life -- for Roman and Grace it was at the age of 7. Love, love, love the way Francine Rivers authentically portrays the way we wrestle with our daily decisions and relationships in this vale of tears. The inner dialogue people of faith have when we recognize that He is the breath in our lungs. God is good, all the time. When we are dead, deaf and blind in our sin we don't see it. Thanks be to God for sending the Word made flesh to tabernacle with us and deliver us from judgement.

Ephesians 2:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

** spoiler alert ** One day I was praising the author on Twitter for so clearly explaining the depravity of man and Christ's propitiation for our sin. The next day, I had to withdraw my comment due to the shaky theology I was encountering.

1. These characters are constantly speaking to God and hearing definitive answers. Wouldn't that be nice?
If it had only happened a time or two, I could have written it off as the "still small voice", but the rate of occurrence was unsettling. It's also interesting to note, these instructions from God never come while the character's are reading Scripture.

2. One character receives multiple visits from an angel. I do not deny the existence of angels. However, this visit is like nothing we read in Scripture. Do we ever read of anyone getting a personal friendly angel who comforts them nightly?

3. THE ABSOLUTE DEAL BREAKER -- When Roman drops DEAD on the sidewalk, he is ushered into hell by two demons. Once IN hell, he cries out to Jesus who appears as a bright light and takes his hand. Miraculously, Roman is revived and taken to a hospital both for his heart and a demon inflicted wound to his leg (which handicaps him for the remainder of the book).

Perhaps at this point, you are questioning whether Roman was really dead. In a later chapter he tells a reporter, "I had a heart attack, died on the sidewalk, and went to hell. Jesus got me out." Chapter 37

My thoughts: We are given the opportunity to repent and believe today—while we are living. When we die, it's game over! Jesus does not do special operation rescue missions into the pit of hell.

Why I believe this:
In the parable of the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) we read, “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

And...

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (John 3:3)

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. (John 3:36)

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27)

They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you? He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. (Matt 25:44-46)

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (Rev 20:11-12)

As a new believer, this author's Mark of the Lion Series won me to Christian fiction. She is an exquisite storyteller and I admire her skill. I'm not saying this book is poorly written. However, I do not feel like I can recommend a story in which the plot hinges on Christ descending into hell to save a sinner. To me, if you are a Christian fiction author your purpose should be to glorify God—that can only be accomplished when He and His Word are represented correctly. Theology does matter!

A absolutely LOVE Francine Rivers. I agree with the comment below- I was so sad to come to the end of the book! I just wanted to keep on reading. Really hope she will write another book- and soon:)
Totally recommend this book.

Another outstanding book by Francine Rivers!!! As always, she draws you into the characters and their individual stories of relying on the Lord as a believer in Jesus Christ or even struggling to believe in Him in light of the sadness and hurt one has experienced in life. Mrs. Rivers is masterful in making the storyline so engaging, yet also revealing great Biblical truths that she weaves throughout the character and plot developments. My only complaint is that the book had to end! :) I always enjoy reading her books and I fly through them! When I reach the end, I'm sad that the story had to come to a conclusion. Looking forward already to her next novel!!! Ha! :) If you haven't read any of her other books, I highly recommend that you begin with the magnificent "Redeeming Love." Enjoy!